GENERAL INFORMATION
The Cracow Epiphany Conference has had a different topic every year. The series started in 1995. By bringing in new subjects and inviting new participants every year the meetings offer a general forum to discuss the frontiers of physics. The number of participants is about one hundred and there are twenty to thirty invited talks.In year 2004 the conference is devoted to the astroparticle physics. Both experimental and theoretical talks will be presented on the cosmic-ray, neutrino, gamma-ray astrophysics etc.
PLACE, REGISTRATION AND CORRESPONDENCE: The conference will be held in the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, ul. Slawkowska 17, Cracow, Poland. Participation by invitation only. Persons interested in attending the conference and in getting help with accommodation in Cracow please send e-mail to epiphany@ifj.edu.pl before December 10, 2003.
Phone: ++48 - 12 - 662 80 10 E-mail: epiphany@ifj.edu.pl Fax: ++48 - 12 - 662 80 12
ABOUT THE CITY Cracow is one of the places in the world which have been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. The architectural complex of the Old Town has survived all the cataclysms of the past and preserved the same, unchanged layout since the Middle Ages. The Old Town together with the Wieliczka Salt Mine have been recognized as some of the most valuable architectural treasures of the world. There are over 300 town-houses and 58 churches and palaces, all considered historical monuments just within the old centre of Cracow and that is just a small part of all the monuments of this city. Cracow, which had been the capital of the Polish state until the 17th century and has kept the character of a spiritual capital till the present day, is at the same time an important cultural centre. Cracow is the oldest Polish academic centre, with the Jagellonian University founded in 1364, the second oldest university in Central Europe.
HOW TO GET THERE A number of flights connect Cracow airport to many international destinations. Cracow is also well connected to the railway and roads.
We recommend that you fly to Cracow, directly or via Warsaw if necessary. If you arrive to Cracow by plane, you can reach the town by taxi (approximate price 60 zloty i.e. about USD 15) or get to the Main Railway Station by buses 192 or 208.
If you decide to come by train from Warsaw you might find useful some information concerning public transportation and train connections to Cracow. Connection between the Warsaw airport and the central railway station is provided by the regular city buses #175. Alternatively you can take the Marriott Hotel shuttle service (more expansive, approx. 50 zloty). The shuttle stop is at the exit from the arrival hall on your left side (follow the signs). Get off at the Marriott Hotel which is just opposite to the Warsaw railway station Warszawa Centralna. Please note that taxis might have a tendency to overcharge foreigners. In any case, use only the taxis with clearly indicated company phone numbers. There is a number of Express and Intercity trains from Warsaw to Cracow. Departure times from Warszawa Centralna: 6:00, 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:50, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:50; arrival at the Krakow Glowny railway station in approx. 2 hrs. 35 min. Beware of pick-pockets, they are very active, mostly at the railway stations.
ACCOMMODATION AND GETTING AROUND IN CRACOW
You will be lodged in the University Guest houses at 7a Garbarska Street ( Bursa Pigonia located in the courtyard behind the building # 7, tel. 422-30-08) or at 49 Florianska Street, tel 421-12-25. Garbarska Street is only two streetcar stops (# 4 and 14) away from the Main Train Station. Florianska Street is in the Old Town, within a walking distance from the Main Train Station and the Main Market Square; see the map. Accommodation will be in single rooms (for families in double) with breakfast. Please, note that number of rooms is limited, especially at Florianska Street. The Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences is located at 17 Slawkowska Street within 5 min. walk from the Guest houses; see the map and streetmap.The exchange rate for Polish zloty is now (November 2003) approximately 1 USD = 4 zl. In addition to the regular banks there are many exchange offices called "Kantor" (some of them open also on Sundays), where you can exchange money. Major credit cards are commonly accepted in most restaurants and gift shops; travelers cheques and Eurocheques can be cashed in the PKO Bank (Eu-cheques also at some major Post Offices). You may have problems, however, to cash cheques on weekends, when the banks are closed. ATM cash machines are widely available.
